Nostell Priory

The estate's origins date back to the 12th century when an Augustinian priory dedicated to Saint Oswald was founded here. Following the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1540, the lands came into the possession of the Gargrave family. In 1654, Sir Rowland Winn acquired the estate. Construction of the current house began in 1733 for the Winn family. James Paine was the original architect, and later Robert Adam was commissioned to design additional wings and complete the state rooms. Adam also added a double staircase to the front of the house and designed other buildings on the estate, including the stable block. The Winn family, whose wealth originated from coal mining beneath the estate and later from leasing land for iron ore mining, inhabited the mansion. In 1953, Nostell Priory and its contents were handed over to the National Trust, but it remains the family home of the Lords St Oswald.